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Gadgets Skype to be Integrated with eBay
Brandon Hill (Blog) - June 14, 2006 12:37 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 13 comment(s) - last by Griswold.. on Jun 15 at 4:23 AM
"Skype Me" baby one more time

Skype has been in the news a lot recently. In the past few months, the company has added features that supported Intel-only processors (and was later served with subpoenas by AMD in regards to the matter), added 24-hour translators and offered free land line calling within the United States and Canada. Now, Skype is taking its relationship with eBay to the next level.

eBay today announced that it will be adding a "Skype Me" button to some of its category listings. Using the button would allow buyers to get into direct contact with sellers either by voice or by chat in real-time. eBay is hoping to have the feature incorporated within 14 category listings starting June 19th. The categories targeted include GPS devices, automobiles, and real estate -- three categories which could benefit from increased communication between buyer and seller.

eBay CEO Meg Whitman says that this latest expansion of Skype is a part of the company's "Power of Three" strategy. "Each of these businesses is incredibly powerful on its own. eBay is No. 1 in e-commerce, PayPal is No. 1 in online payments and Skype is No. 1 in voice communications. Together, however, we think these three businesses can make even greater things happen."

Speaking of eBay and PayPal, it looks as though eBay may be having some stiff competition in the online payment arena from Google. DailyTech reported a few days ago that Google’s GBuy payment service will take direct aim at PayPal.

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So...
By jskirwin on 6/14/2006 1:16:58 PM , Rating: 2
Not satisfied with supplying scammers with your email address, Ebay wants to give them your phone number.

Thanks Ebay!




RE: So...
By TheDoc9 on 6/14/2006 2:07:05 PM , Rating: 2
and overcharge you in the process


RE: So...
By Scorpion on 6/14/2006 2:43:19 PM , Rating: 5
I think eBay has it totally wrong here. Can you image being a seller on eBay and being constantly bothered by buyers wanting to "chat" or "talk" about your auction. How many uneducated trolls do you have to go through before you yank the plug and say to hell with it?

The current system of "you-can-contact-me-and-I'll-respond-when-I-can" is very suitable for current eBay sellers. I read enough emails as it is that are barely legible or comprehendable. Extend that to the realm of "live chat" or god forbid "voice" and you've got yourself a nightmare.

I think this will do nothing but hinder eBay and become a large money waster for them. This isn't something that the auction market is just begging for right now.

GBuy anyone?


RE: So...
By hopenobody knows on 6/14/2006 4:14:10 PM , Rating: 2
Some people will complain about anything. Even something that is optional and free. It's not like ebay would ever force you to use the feature, or sit in front of your computer waiting for a call.

It's new, it's innovative, free, and most of all optional.


RE: So...
By Scorpion on 6/14/2006 4:56:13 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry if I cam across like I was whining. The point I was trying to make is how many people might actually use this versus the extra cost it is going to pass on to the customer? These "optional" features aren't free and if you knew how much eBay paid to aquire Skype you'd know that they are relying on a return on that investment. This means that fees are going to go up and up and most people already think they are too high. I'm just saying that I don't think this is the intelligent business move that eBay seems to think it was. It's just going to cost them, and you.


RE: So...
By lemonadesoda on 6/14/2006 7:28:37 PM , Rating: 2
THE POWER OF THREE

Geddit? You pay via paypal per minute to chat to auction seller.

Whether the auction seller gets paid to take the call is another question...


RE: So...
By mb on 6/14/2006 4:35:49 PM , Rating: 2
Dumbass, you don't need a phone number at all to use Skype voice chat, let alone any of your personal numbers.


RE: So...
By freon on 6/14/2006 4:43:53 PM , Rating: 2
Except Ebay doesn't give people your email address, and skype doesn't use phone numbers...


Skype or Hype?
By iamright on 6/14/2006 12:54:17 PM , Rating: 2
Is Skype paying for all this publicity?




RE: Skype or Hype?
By Hare on 6/14/2006 1:01:11 PM , Rating: 2
From the press release
quote:
EBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman said the function is one way the company was pressing its "Power of Three" strategy to make the most of its acquisitions of the PayPal online payment service in 2002 and Luxembourg-based Skype last year.


RE: Skype or Hype?
By lemonadesoda on 6/14/2006 7:25:59 PM , Rating: 2
so the answer is...

... depends on which country has the lowest tax rate, and in which company the CEO has most options

;-)


UseMyBank PayPal GBuy
By usemybank on 6/14/06, Rating: 0
Booo-urns!
By Griswold on 6/15/2006 4:23:38 AM , Rating: 2
First shameless plug I've seen at DT...


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